Empty Arena
Image from Pixabay, credit: hfromnc
I, like many people, am a sports fan. I follow baseball and hockey closely, basketball not-so-closely, and am an avid fan of the Olympics. I follow athletes, teams, and even leagues on Instagram and Twitter. So, when I say I miss sports it’s kind of an understatement.
I’ve said many times, to many people (who, frankly, are tired of hearing it) that I think sports is one of the most unifying forces there is. You don’t need to be from the same place or speak the same language to enjoy a hockey game together.
For hockey fans this is usually one of the most exciting times of the season. AHL and CHL teams would be well into their playoff runs. Most teams in the National Hockey League would have just wrapped up their regular season games and Stanley Cup fever would have taken hold.
Humboldt Broncos 2018
Image from Twitter
Unfortunately, today marks the two-year anniversary of a heart-breaking event that brought not just hockey fans, but everyone, together. The Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
On April 6, 2018, 29 members of the Humboldt Broncos organization (from players to coaches to announcers and statisticians) boarded their team bus for a playoff game that would never happen. 16 of those people are gone too soon, while the other 13 had their lives irrevocably changed.
The tragedy of this event impacted many more than just those 29 lives. It effected their families, friends, and co-workers. It effected the Broncos hockey organization, and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. It devastated the town of Humboldt.
What happened next is the unification I often speak about. People across Canada and the world banded together to support the Humboldt Broncos and their loved ones.
Sticks Out for Humboldt became a worldwide trend.
From mini-sticks, to kid’s gear, to professional equipment; hockey sticks were left outside homes, schools, businesses as a symbol of remembrance and unity.
Jersey Day spread across Canada. Participating businesses and schools suspended dress codes allowing people to wear hockey jerseys instead. Initially Jersey Day started as a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral and medical costs for the immediate families of the team. It became yet another way to honour the Broncos.
Green Shirt Day takes place on April 7th.
Amazing player, better human.
Support Logan and all organ donors on April 7th by wearing green#alwaysaBronco https://t.co/BdMw6kQCwW— Humboldt Broncos (@HumboldtBroncos) March 12, 2020
Logan Boulet was one of the players who lost his life due to the crash. He was an organ donor. When he passed in the hospital, the day after the crash, due to his injuries his family followed his wishes and had his undamaged organs donated to those in need. He saved six lives and inspired many more people to become donors.
This year, because of the pandemic, it will be a little bit different.
Kids won’t be wearing jerseys to school. Businesses and arenas are closed and likely won’t have hockey sticks outside their doors. There won’t be tribute games across the NHL. And families and friends can’t gather to remember.
The need for physical distancing hasn't stopped families and city officials from finding other ways to honour the 16 people who died and 13 who were injured in the Humboldt Broncos 2018 bus crash https://t.co/p6D0PQWTmI
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) April 5, 2020
For those who play sports it’s competition and fun. For those who play professionally it’s a business and often (if you ask them) a dream come true. For those who watch it’s fun and exciting, a bit of escape from everyday life.
For me, hockey inspired a life change. The Humboldt Broncos bus crash prompted me to change careers, to dive into the world of journalism so stories like this one could be told and remembered.
Sports can bring us together. Whether you follow hockey or soccer or baseball or football. I hope this story reminds you that what all of our favourite athletes are saying is true.
That while we may miss it; there are things that are bigger than the game.
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